Asymmetrical light producing baffle and luminaire inclusive thereof

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a baffle assembly configured for asymmetric distribution of light, the baffle assembly including a baffle body, a series of baffle blades disposed with the baffle body, and a series of openings defined by at least one of the baffle body and the blades of the series of baffle blades, the openings being configured for passage of the light, wherein the series of blades is configured to redirect the light that passes through the openings, wherein the blades are angled away from perpendicular or parallel disposal relative to a plane normal to a centerline of the baffle body.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/161,835 filed on Mar. 20, 2009, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD

The disclosure relates generally to luminaire, and more particularly to a luminaire configured for symmetric and asymmetric distribution of light.

BACKGROUND

Currently, in the art of office lighting, there is a need for a luminaire configured to effectively light the specific (and sometimes confined) geometries of typical private offices. Contemporary luminaires are not singularly capable of both providing broad general or indirect ambient illuminance upon an office ceiling, while also providing focused or targeted task illuminance on a typical office desk or desk portion in the luminaire's vicinity. Accordingly, a single luminaire that could be mounted far from the ceiling and close to the desk to effectively provide such lighting, without interfering in conferencing functions typically occurring between persons seated on opposite sides of a typical office desk or desk portion, would be desirable.

SUMMARY

Disclosed is a baffle assembly configured for asymmetric distribution of light, the baffle assembly including a baffle body, a series of baffle blades disposed with the baffle body, and a series of openings defined by at least one of the baffle body and the blades of the series of baffle blades, the openings being configured for passage of the light, wherein the series of blades is configured to redirect the light that passes through the openings, wherein the blades are angled away from perpendicular or parallel disposal relative to a plane normal to a centerline of the baffle body.

Also disclosed is a luminaire including a luminaire housing defining an uplight aperture and a downlight aperture, at least one light source disposed in the luminaire housing, an uplight baffle assembly disposed in the uplight aperture, the uplight baffle assembly being configured for directional distribution of uplight from the light source, and a downlight baffle assembly disposed in the downlight aperture, the downlight baffle assembly being configured for directional distribution of downlight from the light source, wherein the direction of the uplight distribution is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the downlight distribution.

Further disclosed is a method for lighting a space via a luminaire, the method including providing a luminaire housing defining an uplight aperture and a downlight aperture, directionally distributing uplight from the uplight aperture, the uplight emanating from a light source disposed in the luminaire housing, directionally distributing downlight from the downlight aperture, the downlight emanating from the light source disposed in the luminaire housing, and directing the uplight in directions that are substantially perpendicular to a direction of the asymmetrical downlight.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention should be more fully understood from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments taken in conjuncture with the accompanying Figures in which like elements are numbered alike in the several Figures:

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of a luminaire in accordance with a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the luminaire of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a lower perspective view of a baffle associated with the luminaire of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an upper perspective view of the baffle associated with the luminaire of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 a is a plan view of the baffle associated with the luminaire of

FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 b is cross-sectional view of the baffle associated with the luminaire of FIGS. 1 and 4 a taken along lines A-A;

FIG. 4 c is an enlarged view of a portion of the baffle associated with the luminaire of FIG. 1 shown in section B of FIGS. 4 b;

FIG. 4 d is a side elevation view of the baffle associated with the luminaire of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a partial upper perspective view of the luminaire of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the baffle associated with the luminaire of FIG. 1, wherein the luminaire is mounted to a desk;

FIG. 7 is a shaded plot in accordance with light produced by the luminaire of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a shaded plot in accordance with light produced by the luminaire of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a candlepower distribution polar plot in accordance with light produced and distributed by the luminaire of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 a is a schematic representation of directional light distribution from the luminaire.

FIG. 9 b is another candlepower distribution polar plot in accordance with light produced and distributed by the luminaire of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 c is another candlepower distribution polar plot in accordance with light produced and distributed by the luminaire of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 d is another candlepower distribution polar plot in accordance with light produced and distributed by the luminaire of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is an upper perspective view of a baffle in accordance with another exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 11 is a lower perspective view of the baffle of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIGS. 1-6, a luminaire 10 including a luminaire housing 12 defined by longitudinal walls 14 and end walls 16 is illustrated. At least one light source 18, such as a tubular lamp (see FIG. 1) or a compact twin-tube lamp (see FIG. 2) is housed within the luminaire housing 12. The housing 12 defines an uplight aperture 20 and a downlight aperture 22.

As is shown best in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 an uplight baffle assembly 24 is disposed in the uplight aperture 20. The open uplight baffle assembly 24 is configured for directionally distributing uplight emanating from the light source 18 via grid blades 25 that are disposed substantial perpendicular to each other in one plane and substantially perpendicular to the uplight aperture 20 in another.

The uplight 26 discussed above is best shown at FIGS. 9, 9 a, 9 b, and 9 c. With reference to these Figures, the directionally distributed uplight 26 is shown to be symmetrically distributed about a longitudinal axis 28 of the luminaire 10. Via this symmetric distribution, the light 26 travels upwards and in directions 30 away from the longitudinal axis 28 (i.e. in a longitudinal direction of the longitudinal walls 14), resulting in a shaded plot (i.e. an illuminated ceiling) such as that shown in FIG. 7.

As is best shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 4 a-d, a downlight baffle assembly 32 is disposed in the downlight aperture 22. The downlight baffle assembly 32 is configured for directionally distributing downlight emanating from the light source 18. The downlight baffle 32 includes a baffle body 33 defining of a series of alternating openings 34 for the passage of downlight, as well as opposing blades 36 for redirecting light that as it through the openings 34. These blades 26 may be parabolic, and extend across a width of a light source 18 of the luminaire 10 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof. The blades are also angled with respect to (i.e. not parallel or perpendicular to) a plane normal to the longitudinal centerline 37 of the baffle body 33 and the downlight aperture 22 of the luminaire 10, as is best illustrated in FIGS. 4 b and 4 c. As shown in these Figures, an end 38 of each blade 36 extends a distance beyond an edge 39 of the opening 34 in proximity thereto (i.e. the opening 34 to the left of each blade 36 in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 4 a-4 c).

The downlight 40 discussed above is best shown in 4 b, 9, 9, 9 b, and 9 c. With reference to FIG. 4 b, the directionally distributed downlight 40 travels, in an asymmetric manner, down from the light source 18, though the aperture 34, and is reflected by an inner reflective surface 42 of the blade 36 in a direction towards the on of the end walls 16 (and thus inherently away from the other). In FIG. 4 b, the direction of reflection is to the left, and is caused by an angling of the blades 36 to the left. In an exemplary embodiment, the inner reflective surface 42 is a specular parabolic surface.

Furthermore, the downlight 40 is distributed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the directions in which the uplight 26 is distributed. This substantially perpendicular distribution occurs via reflection of the downlight towards the left end wall 16 of the housing 12, and is shown in FIGS. 9, 9 a, 9 b, and 9 c. Distribution of downlight 40 in this manner results in a shaded plot (i.e. an illuminated desk/floor) such as that shown in FIG. 8.

Referring now to FIGS. 4, 4 a, and 4 d in particular, it should be noted that the downlight baffle assembly 32 may incorporate an angled or sloped reflective surface 44 (that may also be contoured) surrounding and defining the aforementioned openings 34. The surface 44 includes two sloped regions 45 that symmetrically slope about the longitudinal axis 44 of the luminaire 10, whereby downlight 40 received by the surface 44 directly from the light source 18 (i.e. light that does not pass through the openings 34) is redirected in a direction that is substantially away from the baffle openings 34 and away from the light center of light source 18. This minimizes an amount of light that may be redirected back into the light source 18.

Referring now to FIG. 6, an exemplary embodiment for the luminaire 10 is illustrated. This Figure illustrates a typical private office with a single luminaire 10 centrally located therein (the luminaire may be mounted on the desk, as shown, on a stand in proximity to this position, hanging relatively low from the ceiling, or by another method). The symmetrically distributed uplight 26 desirably lights an office ceiling 46 in a manner that provides general, indirect ambient luminance. This distribution is also shown in the plot of FIG. 8. In addition, the asymmetric downlight 40 distributed from the same luminaire 10 acts in a plane perpendicular to the primary uplight distributions, and desirably provides task luminance on a peninsula desk surface 48 from a position that does not interfere with conferencing functions that may occur between persons seated on opposite sides of the surface 48. It should be noted that downlight is being distributed in a direction of the desk only (i.e. the wall to the opposite side of the luminaire 10 remains substantially free of downlight illumination). Thus, the downlight is distributed largely to the worksurface of the desk and not off the desk to the floor or to the wall. This achieves an efficient use of the lamp light for performing office tasks and minimizing energy waste.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, another embodiment of a downlight baffle assembly 50 is illustrated (with like elements being numbered similarly to those discussed above). This baffle assembly 50 is configured for association with a relatively upper portion of a luminaire including an uplight aperture, the association taking place via wings 52 and flanges 54 (which may be associated with the upper portion via any known method such as mechanical or frictional fastening). This downlight baffle assembly 50 is also configured for directionally distributing downlight emanating from the light source 18. The downlight baffle 50 includes a baffle body 56 (in unitary construction with the wings 52 in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11), and baffle blades 36. In this embodiment, top surfaces 58 of the baffle blades 36 define the series of alternating openings 34 for the passage of downlight. As is discussed above, the blades 36 redirect light as it passes through the openings 34 in the directions that are also discussed above. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, an end 38 of each blade 36 extends a distance beyond an edge 39 of the top surface 58 and opening 34 in proximity thereto (i.e. the opening 34 to the left of each blade 36 and left hand edge 39 of the surface 58 of each blade 36, as shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11).

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, while exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, various modifications and variations can be made to the present apparatus and method disclosed herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the various embodiments have been described by way of illustration and not limitation. 

1. A baffle assembly configured for asymmetric distribution of light, the baffle assembly comprising: a baffle body; a series of baffle blades disposed with said baffle body; and a series of openings defined by at least one of said baffle body and said blades of said series of baffle blades, said openings being configured for passage of the light, wherein said series of blades is configured to redirect the light that passes through said openings, wherein said blades are angled away from perpendicular or parallel disposal relative to a plane normal to a centerline of said baffle body.
 2. The baffle assembly of claim 1, wherein a portion of each of said blades extends beyond an edge of said openings in proximity thereto.
 3. The baffle assembly of claim 2, wherein said downlight baffle assembly includes a relatively upper reflective surface opposite a surface from which said blades extend, said reflective surface including two symmetrically sloped regions.
 4. The baffle assembly of claim 1, wherein said blades include upper surfaces, said upper surfaces defining said openings.
 5. A luminaire comprising: a luminaire housing defining an uplight aperture and a downlight aperture; at least one light source disposed in said luminaire housing; an uplight baffle assembly disposed in said uplight aperture, said uplight baffle assembly being configured for directional distribution of uplight from said light source; and a downlight baffle assembly disposed in said downlight aperture, said downlight baffle assembly being configured for directional distribution of downlight from said light source, wherein said direction of said uplight distribution is substantially perpendicular to said direction of said downlight distribution.
 6. The luminaire of claim 5, wherein said uplight baffle assembly is configured to symmetrically distribute said uplight about a longitudinal axis of the luminaire and wherein said downlight baffle is configured to asymmetrically distribute said downlight.
 7. The luminaire of claim 6, wherein said downlight baffle assembly defines a series of openings configured for passage of said downlight, and a series of blades configured to redirect said downlight that passes through said openings.
 8. The luminaire of claim 7, wherein said blades are angled away from perpendicular or parallel disposal relative to said downlight aperture, a portion of each of said blades extending beyond an edge of said openings in proximity thereto.
 9. The luminaire of claim 7, wherein said luminaire housing includes longitudinal walls running substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the luminaire, and end walls running substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, said symmetric distribution occurring upwards and in directions away from said longitudinal axis, and said asymmetrical distribution occurring downwards and in a direction towards and beyond one of said end walls.
 10. The luminaire of claim 9, wherein said downlight baffle assembly includes a reflective surface that is symmetrically sloped towards said longitudinal walls.
 11. A method for lighting a space via a luminaire, the method comprising: providing a luminaire housing defining an uplight aperture and a downlight aperture; directionally distributing uplight from said uplight aperture, said uplight emanating from a light source disposed in said luminaire housing; directionally distributing downlight from said downlight aperture, said downlight emanating from said light source disposed in said luminaire housing; and directing said uplight in directions that are substantially perpendicular to a direction of said asymmetrical downlight.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein said directionally distributing said uplight includes symmetrically distributing said uplight about a longitudinal axis of the luminaire via an uplight baffle assembly.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein said directionally distributing said downlight includes asymmetrically distributing said downlight via a downlight baffle assembly that defines a series of openings configured for passage of said downlight, and a series of blades configured redirect said downlight that passes through said openings.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein said luminaire housing includes longitudinal walls running substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the luminaire, and end walls running substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, said uplight being symmetrically distributed upwards and in directions away from said longitudinal axis, and said down light asymmetrically distributed downwards and in a direction towards and beyond one of said end walls. 